Life preserver



S. GATES LIFE PRESERVER Nov. 5, 1929.

Filed May '7, 1927 Patented Nov. 5, 1929 STEVE GATES, OF BRADDOCK, PENNSYLVAISTIA- LIFE PRESERVER Application filed May 7, 1927. Serial No. 189,585;

My invention refers to improvements in life preserving garments, of the kind adapted to be worn as a life preserver for buoyant support in water.

The purpose of the invention is to provide a garment, readily applied and removed, capable of being worn by the user and having supplemental float attachments or supporting elements for buoyantly maintaining the user in water.

Generally stated, the invention comprises a garment similar to a vest or waistcoat, adapt ed to fit easily over the body and to be clasped thereon, provided wth a series of encircling,

individual flotation or buoyant sections ca; pable of free uncontrolled action, constructed and adapted to operate in the manner more fully hereinafter described.

Referring to the drawings, showing one preferred embodiment of the invention:

' Fig. 1 is a view of the invention in elevation extended in the act of applying to the human body;

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view, showing the device as applied;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view on the line III-III of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings, 2 is the base member in the form of a garment provided so with shoulder or arm openings 3 and having at its front a series of connecting and disconnecting clasps 4 of well known construction. The latter are incorporated with the inner front edge portions of the garment 2 so as to be readily connected and disconnected by the wearer in putting on or taking off the garment.

For the purpose of imparting buoyant or float-ing capacity to the device, I provide a 41 series of annularly arranged buoyant units 5.

These are in the form of tubular extensions or attachments of the garment 2, connected therewith at their inner portions by stitching 6 or otherwise, extending outwardly e3 therefrom in substantially circular form, as

at 7 each of such tubular units being filled with a suitable buoyant substance, as cork shavings 8, or the like.

The several ring-like units 7 are separated from each other by means of intervening spaces 9 so as to be] capable of a limited amount of free movement on their stitching connections 6, avoiding interference one with the other, and ensuring ample flexibility and adaptation without crowding or interference, in varying positions of the device itself or of the user. I v

' The important feature of the invention is in the independent free action of such associated flotation units, ensuring ample buoyancy, while all portions of the garment to which they are attached are subject to their buoyant action, with-the resulting lifting or supporting efl'ect on the user. I

The inner garment portion 2 is approximately fitted to the body of the wearer, and may be provided witha lower crotch strap, if desired, for the purpose of'preventing its upward movement over the body.

At the back the garmentis connected by a To series of lacing cords 10 passed alternately through eyelets in the opposite edge members at the rear portion of the garment so that it may be tightened or loosened if desired, depending on the girth of the Wearer.

As thus constructed the invention is entirely capable of easy and quick adaptation to various sizes or weights of the user; it is easily put on or taken off and connected or disconnected; it is capable at all times of supporting a body independent of any preliminary inflation or other incidental treatment, and provides a readily adaptable device, capable of immediate use under any of the usual circumstances requiring such articles. e5

It will be understood that the invention may be variously changed or modified in detail construction, size, number of the buoyant units, or otherwise, by the skilled mechanic, but that all such changes are to be considered as within the scope of the following claims.

What I claim is: I

1. In a life preserver, the combination with a loosely fitting garment having arm holes $5 and front attaching clasps, of a series of transversely arranged completely tubular buoyant units each consisting of a completely enclosing wall of flexible fabric having a filling of buoyant substance, each said units being formed of a laterally arranged annular wall flexibly attached to the garment inwardly of its opposite rounded edges for relative movement, the main fabric of the garment forming the back wall of the unit.

2. In a life preserver, the combination with a loosely fitting garment having arm holes and front attaching clasps, of a series of transversely arranged completely tubular buoyant units each consisting of a completely enclosing wall of flexible fabric having a filling of buoyant substance, each said units being formed of a laterally arranged annular wall flexibly attached to the garment inwardly of its opposite rounded edges for relative movement on the garment and with ample space between adjacent units therefor, the main fabric of the garment forming the back wall of the unit.

3. In a life preserver, the combination with a loosely fitting garment having arm holes and front attaching clasps the garment being divided at the back and provided with tightening and loosening lacing, of vertically arranged series of horizontally arranged completely tubular buoyant units each con sisting of a completely enclosing wall of flexible fabric having a filling of buoyant substance as granulated cork, each said units be ing formed of a laterally arranged annular wall flexibly attached to the garment inwardly of its upper and lower rounded edges and spaced apart from each other for free relative movement and tapered at their ends towards the garment, the main fabric of the garment forming the back wall of the unit.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature.

STEVE GATES. 

